Bed Time Blues

When Lexi was born, I was still living at my parents house. Lexi and I shared a room until she was about twelve months. Not because there was not a spare room available, or because I didn't have a crib for her. It was because she was my baby and I wanted her no further than an arms reach away at all times!

At about 12 months my twin sized bed was getting a bit crowded. I was convinced I was going to get her to start sleeping in her crib. I remember being so confident that it was going to be a breeze getting my little love bug to sleep on her own, just a few steps down the hall from me. Boy was I wrong, to say the least. I remember laying her down in her crib, steping out into the hall, closing the door until there was just a crack big enough for me to peek in, sitting down and waiting for my child to fall asleep. I was so nieve. I remember listening to those shreeking cries coming from my child that any mother knows. The one that says, "Mommy pick me up, I'm NOT happy about this situation."

Now in my defense, I tried. I really did try, but out of respect for the rest of my family members, I knew that the sleepless nights had to come to an end. Back into the twin we went.

It wasn't until I moved out on my own, just over a year ago that lexi has had her very own room. It's not much, but it's hers. She slept with me for about six months and then I decided that I was ready to try again.

Things started slowly. We'd go through our bedtime routine, I'd put her in her bed (the same twin that we slept on for the first 3 years of her life) and twenty minutes later she'd be in bed with me for the remainder of the evening.

I'm proud to say that Lexi now sleeps in her own bed all night (most of the time). It wasn't an easy road, or a short one for that matter. But together we did it. I now egarly wait for her arrival into "our bed" every morning at the crack of dawn so that we can cuddle for just a bit before the duties of our daily activites get under way.

Just like any parent child relationship, I'm sure that Lexi and I will face many more situations similar to this one. I hope that I have showed her that even though I'm still learning the ropes of this parenting gig, I'll never ever give up. I would do anything for that little lady. Even if it does mean upseting her just a bit.

I love watching lexi reach new milestones. I love watching her become more independant. It makes the "mommy I still need you" moments that much more special to me!